2015 ISL Pre-Season News and Rumours

As kickoff of the 2015 Indian Super League season continues to draws near, anticipation is reaching fever pitch across the country as ISL pre-season news and rumours fly in. Who will be the superstar marquees this season? Who will return? Who will move clubs? And most importantly, can Atlético de Kolkata defend their 2014 title?

Kick-off Dates

While last year’s inaugural competition saw some delays in the competition kick-off, this year’s series is scheduled for an early September start. This season will also see longer periods between game times for teams, in order to reduce player fatigue.

Salary Cap

This year’s ISL will also see the introduction of a player salary cap, set at Rs. 20 crores, introduced to avoid over-dominance by financially stronger clubs.

Marquees and Player Rules

The 2015 ISL season will also see each team required to sign one marquee for the season, who can either be the same as last season or a new player.

Each team will also be permitted to retain foreign players from the previous season, and sign new players before the international players draft.

Domestically each team will be permitted to retain between one to six Indian domestic players, with those no resigned free to sign for other teams until April 2015. Those players who remain unsigned by April will be listed in the June domestic draft.

Team squads meanwhile will be required to have a minimum of 22 players and maximum of 25, with two development players allowed and three additional foreigners.

Player Auctions

Unlike last season, this year’s ISL pre-season will feature player auctions for Indian players who have played for the Indian national team, but did not feature in the 2014 ISL. The player auctions, to be held in Mumbai on June 10th, will allow each club to add one player onto their rosters, eliminating them from the domestic player draft.